Presented by Ayelet Studio
Son of Thanjai takes you to 11th century India to master the whip like Surulvaal sword, in an action-adventure about King Rajendra Chola
Learn history, unite a country and learn the South Indian martial art of Kalarippayattu
Son of Thanjai is a cinematic action-adventure telling the tale of King Rajendra Chola, one of the greatest Indian emperors, in game set in the power clashes, culture, and conflict of 11th century Southern India.
Son of Thanjai is set in Thanjavur, during the golden era of the Chola dynasty, and sees a young king, Rajendra Chola, burdened by his father’s legacy and navigating a fine line between duty and destiny, where loyalty is tested and your power threatened at every corner.
This is a narrative-rich, single-player experience that weaves intense combat with rich cultural storytelling. A crucial part of this is the use of the Surulvaal, a flexible, whip-like sword from the South Indian martial art Kalarippayattu. The game uses fluid animation and full-performance motion capture to deliver brutal melee action as you master this unusual weapon and fighting style. And, when you're not slicing up opponents to their face, you can use stealth takedowns with the Surulvaal to stay hidden as you infiltrate enemy camps.
As befitting a game with such a rich cultural experience as 11th century Southern India, you'll also see things like authentic temple celebrations, festivals, food, street performers, songs and traditional sporting activities. These act as narrative threads to connect you to the world's inhabitants as you explore the world of the Cholas.
Son of Thanjai is due to release late 2026 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X
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